Best Duke to live with

U

urga

New member
Okay I know this is very subjective,but what's the general consensus on what is the easiest duke to get along with?
I've tried a ST3,749 and I have a multi at the moment.Trouble is I find the multi gets all out of shape when you push it.It's also hard work in town and has a few other niggles.It's good but far from perfect.I just bought a new Triumph sprint on 'spur of the moment kind of thing' ie he offered me a good trade in for my old multi.Trouble is, it's a bit boring!Doesn't have the 'feel' and 'pull' of my multi.However when I throw my leg over my multi it feels agricultural in comparison now.One of them has to go,or perhaps both!
I liked the 749 but it's perhaps too focused for the big miles I like to do.It is hard to beat the multi in that department.The ST3 is just too dated looking for me despite being an okay machine.
Are there any dukes which I should try that would suit what I am looking for?
Big mile comfort with sporty handling and performance?
 
You don't say which engined Multi you have, how about the 1100 ? My 100ds feels alot sportier when pushing sine I have put race rubber on, although one of the fork seals has gone now so its all over the place again now !
 
Hmm. If it's short bursts of desmodromic delirium rather than have an out and out sports bike how about the Hypermotard...?
 
Pity you don't like the looks of the ST3. I had one for 3 years before going in the other direction and trading it for a 999.

The ST3 wasn't quite right in the handling department when I got it (new) from DG but some suspension adjustments by Shoxx next door and a nice set of Diablos instead of the standard Macadams absolutely transformed it. When I traded it in it had hardly hit the showroom floor at DG when someone tried it, loved it and bought it.

It was (obviously) a bit more floaty at high speed than a Superbike but it never once got out of shape, even on badly surfaced bends, and you could drive it in comfort all day long.

Have to admit though, much as I loved it, it did look better from some angles than others.

Interestingly, one of the many bikes I tried before buying the ST3 was a 2004 Sprint ST - capable but boring IMHO. Didn't feel like much of a step up from the 1994 Kwak ZZR600 I had at the time.
 
dseered said:
You don't say which engined Multi you have, how about the 1100 ? My 100ds feels alot sportier when pushing sine I have put race rubber on, although one of the fork seals has gone now so its all over the place again now !
Click to expand...

it's a 05 1000 s ds.I wouldn't have thought the new 1100 was that much different.Still a supermoto riding position et al
 
DKM said:
Pity you don't like the looks of the ST3. I had one for 3 years before going in the other direction and trading it for a 999.

The ST3 wasn't quite right in the handling department when I got it (new) from DG but some suspension adjustments by Shoxx next door and a nice set of Diablos instead of the standard Macadams absolutely transformed it. When I traded it in it had hardly hit the showroom floor at DG when someone tried it, loved it and bought it.

It was (obviously) a bit more floaty at high speed than a Superbike but it never once got out of shape, even on badly surfaced bends, and you could drive it in comfort all day long.

Have to admit though, much as I loved it, it did look better from some angles than others.

Interestingly, one of the many bikes I tried before buying the ST3 was a 2004 Sprint ST - capable but boring IMHO. Didn't feel like much of a step up from the 1994 Kwak ZZR600 I had at the time.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear I am not the only one!Capable bike but poor build quality and although quick you don't feel quick on it.Which is the point so why oh why did I buy one!!?
 
DKM said:
Pity you don't like the looks of the ST3. I had one for 3 years before going in the other direction and trading it for a 999.

The ST3 wasn't quite right in the handling department when I got it (new) from DG but some suspension adjustments by Shoxx next door and a nice set of Diablos instead of the standard Macadams absolutely transformed it. When I traded it in it had hardly hit the showroom floor at DG when someone tried it, loved it and bought it.

It was (obviously) a bit more floaty at high speed than a Superbike but it never once got out of shape, even on badly surfaced bends, and you could drive it in comfort all day long.

Have to admit though, much as I loved it, it did look better from some angles than others.

Interestingly, one of the many bikes I tried before buying the ST3 was a 2004 Sprint ST - capable but boring IMHO. Didn't feel like much of a step up from the 1994 Kwak ZZR600 I had at the time.
Click to expand...

BTY what is the 999 like to live with.I for one think it's better looking than the 1098 .Which looks like it's been in bed with a Yamaha........I'll get my coat!
 
I test rode a Sprint St before I bought my Multi and although a good bike it was just so boring. I test rode a Tiger as well, again nothing bad but nothing exciting.I like my Multi. It can be a bit of a pain around town with the high gearing etc but I can live with that. I ride it quick but not fast. I don't go for knees down on public highway there's no room for error and too many lamp posts, walls etc. I'm sure the Multi can be ridden a lot faster than I ride but I'm not bothered as "it's better to be late and alive than dead on arrival".
 
urga said:
BTY what is the 999 like to live with.I for one think it's better looking than the 1098 .Which looks like it's been in bed with a Yamaha........I'll get my coat!
Click to expand...

I actually ordered a 1098 at Christmas but when I test drove it in April I realised I couldn't get on with it. I'm 6' tall but my inside leg measurement is only 31" which means I have a long back, and on the 1098 I felt as though my head was somewhere over the front mudguard! Plus I do a fair bit of urban driving and the 1098 suspension is way too hard for that. I got the impression it's more of a track bike than a road bike.

Instead I ended up with DG's last new 999. It has enough suppleness in the suspension to make town driving comfortable and there's more room to move around on the seat. Front, middle and rear on the seat give you 3 distinctly different riding positions (front is best around town) so you can always find one to suit what you're doing. Longest single trip I've done so far was 130 miles, on a mixture of twisties and A roads, with no problems. The seat feels hard at first after a sports tourer but it's actually very supportive.

At speed the wind blast hits you in the lower chest, which is actually better than the ST3 (and most upright bikes with screens) whose wind blast hits you in the shoulders and helmet, causing some noise and buffeting. The 999 feels really good on motorways, very stable and planted - and of course at motorway speed the wind blast supports your body, taking the weight off your wrists .

I got mine with a 14 tooth front sprocket instead of 15 tooth, makes stop - start town driving easier, you don't have to be riding the clutch all the time (did the same with the ST3).

I agree about the looks of the 1098, if you see one coming towards you it looks - anonymous. I do like its tail section though.
 
Last edited:
I don't think the perfect bike exists, its a case of looking at various factors and compromising on aspects.

I always had sport bikes, got my 999S over 2 years ago and have used it for scratching, touring and trackday, its a fast, comfortable superbike but is a pain in town where the heat warms seat and riding position is no good for cutting through traffic,no where to fasten luggage, no real pillion seat or comfort. Its also not the best in the wet, hard to control slides, too much horsepower and the fear of dropping it and big bills for fairings. As has been said its a much better road riding position than a 1098, forget the lack of horsepower and claimed weight loss and look at peg adjustability, seat tank placement, bar position etc and if you intend to spend most of your time on the road not a track it makes a lot more sense.

I've also got a multi, it is much easier to ride in town, big bars help steer through traffic and in the wet, the downside to that is those big bars make it weave in high speed corners. I can quickly add panniers to it, have heated grips, rubber footrests, handguards and socket for heated jacket so its a practical, versatile all year bike as well. Small things like ading the rubber footrests impact on other aspects, they are great at damping vibration and stopping winter boots slipping off peg but in the summer you can't just slide your foot a touch to alter line in a corner, you've got to make a big movement or use the bars. The multi engine feels gutless compared to the 999 but if they put the 4 valve engine in the weight would go up so once again its a compromise. I'd hoped they would put the ST3 engine in this year.
You can hustle the multi, it's as quick in bends as sport bikes but it always feels a bit on the edge when you are going quickly, front end is very, very vague ( worse on an S where its got the Ducati f'ck up of an Ohlins fork on) and the high speed weave is a bit disconcerting at first but ride any big bar bike of this type and most do the same, high c of g and upright position with wide bars.

I looked at an ST3 to replace it but felt the multi still had more plus points for the type of riding i use it for.

Most of us have our bikes as toys, its not like its our everyday transport so the "boring" factor does come into it, i know i should really have a K7 or R1 or even an R12ST but couldn't stand walking into the garage in winter months and looking at it, with the 999 I still like to do that
 
My Duc is the best bike by far to live with (especially in the lounge!!!) ;)
 
Thanks for all the input!
Still no clearer though!!!
I take it no one has tried the new multi?With the wet clutch and bigger horsepower it might be a more attractive propostion.
I love the looks of the 999/749 bikes but I found the 749 a little cramped although the motor was sweet.I just don't think I would enjoy a long bash on it.I'm 45 you know son.Hmmmmm looks like I'll need to stick with the sprint and sell the Multi.Anyone interested?
 
I know of someone who is considering losing a 999 in favour of a new Sprint. Riding postion on 999 is playing havoc with his back and Sprint is much more comfortable and pillion seat is actually real world useable.
 
Try a Monsta, plenty of bits and bobs to make it fit your needs. Ive set mine up as a Cafe' Racer great fun on the backroads fine in town traffic and not too bad as a day tourer. I do small day tours of 250/500 miles and they pretty much beat me up but nothing I couldnt fix with a bar change (too lazy) very easy bike to live with.
 
my personal recommendation would be a pre 98 900SS , the SS for the pilion practicality though I've not owned one. I'm now on my 2nd
900superlight (so good I had to come back!).
why? good all round rider position (for me : especially when compared to the later 900ssie bikes) nice real world performance from the 900 engine , light and good handling too. Oh and simple to maintain if your that way inclined.
Ducati dont really have an equivalent model in the line up any more though.
 
I changed the bars on my 996 for heli bars and that along with a higher screen has made it far more useable and capable of covering big miles.

Also had an early ST4S, very practical and fun to ride, earlier ones look better than the ST3 type fairing though the fairing doesn't work as well. You can pick them up pretty cheap as well now.

The only other option which might earn me a bollicking here is a KTM Adventure or Supermoto, i love my Adventure.

I had Triumph Sprint back in 99, the first version of the Sprint with the newer engine, efficient but bland, i sold mine after 3 months and 4500 miles so know what you mean. The KTM's do have some soul.
 
239desmo said:
I know of someone who is considering losing a 999 in favour of a new Sprint. Riding postion on 999 is playing havoc with his back and Sprint is much more comfortable and pillion seat is actually real world useable.
Click to expand...

what year is the 999?Mileage? etc
 
996 was pretty good for me. No complex electronics, simple enough to work on. A bit uncomfy if you commute but not bad otherwise. Depends on your stature but most sizes could be accommodated.
 
urga said:
what year is the 999?Mileage? etc
Click to expand...

53 plate but I'd be guessing at mileage but think in 4/5k region. Had service at DG last year (maybe 500 miles ago) if you are interested I'll get you full info. Bike is back in standard trim with front number board but has carbon single seat unit (stunning), race can system etc available.
 
239desmo said:
53 plate but I'd be guessing at mileage but think in 4/5k region. Had service at DG last year (maybe 500 miles ago) if you are interested I'll get you full info. Bike is back in standard trim with front number board but has carbon single seat unit (stunning), race can system etc available.
Click to expand...

A bit old for me despite the low miles.I'm not really convinced I could live with the 999 as I hear so many conflicting opinions on them.
Thanks all the same
 
Hi
Will most probably get caned on here for this but took a test ride on a 1200GS the other day, ugly as sin but a great ride and so comfy. I took the bike on my normal evening blast around Chorley, Leyland and Southport and I reckon it was faster than my 749 on the twisties.
However they are somewhat overpriced and most of the 2nd hand ones are high mileage and often tatty - talk about retaining value though.
Got offered a good deal to chop in my 749 but just can't do it, saving for a brand new GS instead so that will be 4 bikes in the garage.
 
The Bmw GS twins are deceptively fast but dont get lulled into the idea that they're they model of reliability and build quality that seems to hang around the marque, those days are long gone. My now ex 1150GS Adv was mine for 2 years and in the garage more times than I care to remember with a variety of faults/recalls. eventually I sold it when the rear wheel bearings gave up after only being apart some 1,5K miles earlier (swingarm recall). My 916 had only 1 fault in 5 years (rectifier failure) in comparision. As to the 999 if you sort out the butt heating issue (HOT summer use due to the thin saddle and std Cat exhaust can, both can be replaced with more appropriate items) and can live with the rider position (foot pegs quite roomy and adjustable on the 999, but bars low and very angled but not too far a reach) then it is reasonably comfy for a superbike.
 
green said:
Hi
Will most probably get caned on here for this but took a test ride on a 1200GS the other day, ugly as sin but a great ride and so comfy. I took the bike on my normal evening blast around Chorley, Leyland and Southport and I reckon it was faster than my 749 on the twisties.
However they are somewhat overpriced and most of the 2nd hand ones are high mileage and often tatty - talk about retaining value though.
Got offered a good deal to chop in my 749 but just can't do it, saving for a brand new GS instead so that will be 4 bikes in the garage.
Click to expand...

Yes I have already looked at BMW.I tried the f800s for a day and it's a cracker of a bike.I also tried the R1200S which is also a good bike .However the boxer engine is hardon the eye and I found it gets in the way.The F800S was however let down by the build quality I thought.Also didn't like the feel of the gearchange and hated the indicator switches.I got the feeling it was built to a budget and wouldn't last.
The R1200s was very capable and sounded great(it had sport cans fitted)but didn't really excite in any way and let no impression on me.
 
urga said:
A bit old for me despite the low miles.I'm not really convinced I could live with the 999 as I hear so many conflicting opinions on them.
Thanks all the same
Click to expand...

The only thing to do is try one, at least then you'll know one way or the other. DG have one or two used ones at the moment.

You may well feel a bit uncomfortable on it after about 15 minutes (as I did), give yourself at least an hour and get out into the country.
 
green said:
Hi
Will most probably get caned on here for this but took a test ride on a 1200GS the other day, ugly as sin but a great ride and so comfy. I took the bike on my normal evening blast around Chorley, Leyland and Southport and I reckon it was faster than my 749 on the twisties.
However they are somewhat overpriced and most of the 2nd hand ones are high mileage and often tatty - talk about retaining value though.
Got offered a good deal to chop in my 749 but just can't do it, saving for a brand new GS instead so that will be 4 bikes in the garage.
Click to expand...

I'd expect a fall in gs prices, dealers have a lot more second hand bikes and supply now matches demand. even then compared to a multi it'll still be loads better residual :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom